US EditionIran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US
Iran seeks to move its three 2026 World Cup group matches from US venues to Mexico due to safety concerns amid escalating Middle East conflict, per Iranian Football Federation.
- Iran's football federation is in talks with FIFA to move its first-round World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, with officials confirming these discussions on Mar 17, 2026.
- After recent strikes across the region, Iranian officials say Iran’s push follows U.S. and Israeli strikes and Tehran's missile responses that raised security concerns, citing U.S. President Donald Trump's safety warnings last week.
- According to the current schedule, Iran are set to play two group matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle with their base camp slated for Tucson, Arizona, and moving games would be unprecedented less than three months before the World Cup starting June 11.
- Iran's embassy in Mexico and Abolfazl Pasandideh, Iran's ambassador to Mexico, urged FIFA to relocate matches, criticizing U.S. visa issues, while FIFA had not immediately responded and New Zealand officials doubted the move.
- Viewed broadly, the stakes are high because Iran is a nation of more than 90 million people with seven World Cup qualifications, and its participation has been in doubt since the war began last month.
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290 Articles
2026 FIFA World Cup: Iran Making Strong Push to Avoid USA
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be one of the world’s premier sporting events once again. This edition will be split between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The first North American tourney will feature one potentially controversial participant: Iran.The political backdrop surrounding the United States’ military action in the Middle East has put the Iranian Side on the spot. The political situation prompted Iranian Sports Minister Ahm…
Iran 'negotiating' with FIFA to relocate World Cup games to Mexico
Iran's football federation is "negotiating" with FIFA to relocate the country's first-round matches at the World Cup to Mexico from the United States, citing the conflict in the Middle East, Iran's embassy in Mexico said Monday.
Donald Trump recently discouraged the Iranian team from participating in the tournament, citing security concerns.
Here's why the World Cup should ditch US for Mexico
Iran’s national soccer team is asking FIFA if it can move its World Cup matches to Mexico—and who can blame them, really? Wouldn’t you want to move matches that are scheduled in the U.S. after President Donald Trump said, “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” On the one hand, the team…
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